Thoughts on the Human Condition (Undated)

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When we look around us on the world, we everywhere behold a busy multitude, intent on the prosecution of various designs, which their wants or desires have suggested. We behold them employing every method which ingenuity can devise, some the patience of industry, some the boldness of enterprise, others the dexterity of stratagem, in order to compass their ends. Of this incessant stir and activity, what is the fruit? In comparison with the crowd who have toiled in vain, how small is the number of the successful. Or rather, where is the man who will declare that in every point he has completed his plan and attained his utmost wish! No extent of human abilities has ever been able to discover a path which, in any line of life leads unerringly to success. The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor riches to men of understanding.” We may form our plans with the most profound sagacity and with the most vigilant caution may guard against dangers on every side. But some unforeseen occurrence comes, which baffles our wisdom and lays our labors in the dust. Were such disappointments confined to those who aspire at engrossing the higher departments _____ life, the misfortune would be less. The humiliation of the mighty and the fall of ambition from its towering height, little concern the bulk of mankind. These are objects on which, as on distant meteors they gaze from afar, without drawing personal instruction from events so much above them. But Alas! When we descend into the regions of private life, we find disappointment and blasted hope equally prevalent there. Neither the moderation of our own views nor the justice of our pretensions can ensure success. Against the stream of events both the worthy and undeserving are obliged the struggle! And both are frequently overborne alike by the current.